Damping Flashcards
Define light damping.
Small damping that causes the amplitude to gradually decrease with time, but the period of oscillation is almost unchanged throughout.
Define heavy damping.
Large damping forces cause the amplitude to decrease significantly and the period of the oscillation to increase slightly.
Define very heavy damping.
When a very large damping force causes the oscillator to move slowly towards its equilibrium position and stop it oscillating beyond the equilibrium position.
Define free oscillation.
The motion of a mechanical system displaced from its equilibrium position and allowed to oscillate without out any external forces.
Define natural frequency.
the frequency of an oscillator when in free oscillation (no external forces act).
Define Forced oscillation.
An oscillation in which a periodic driving force is applied to the oscillator.
Define Resonance.
When the periodic driving frequency is equal to the natural frequency of the oscillator. oscillator is driven to large amplitudes and the maximum energy transfer occurs from the driver to the oscillator.
